War seems to be moving from Gaza to Lebanon
Every indication points to this week being the time Israelis see the major front of this war moving from Gaza to the border with Lebanon.
There are some very clear signs. Just earlier today, Israel’s reserve forces commander said: “It is time for Lebanon to suffer as well, … the power plants, bridges, airports and seaports as well.”
We’ve also seen videos from Israeli government media sources showing the destruction of their own minefields on the border. They’re clearing those minefields to make way for what most likely will be a movement of ground forces into southern Lebanon.
UN peacekeeping force urges immediate de-escalation on Israel-Lebanon border
The UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon has urged de-escalation after a rise in hostilities at the Lebanon-Israel border, where Israel and Hezbollah fighters have been trading fire for almost a year.
Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told the Reuters news agency that UNIFIL witnessed “a heavy intensification of the hostilities across the Blue Line” and throughout its area of operations.
“We are concerned at the increased escalation across the Blue Line and urge all actors to immediately de-escalate,” he said, referring to the frontier between Lebanon and Israel.
Lebanon’s health minister says attacks won’t ‘undermine will of people’
Lebanon’s health minister says morale remains high even among victims and their families after a series of lethal explosions across the country this week.
“I want to send a message to anyone who thinks that these attacks will undermine the will and determination of this people. I say to them that your plan has failed,” Firass Abiad said in comments carried by Lebanon’s National News Agency.
The minister also said the best way to avert further civilian casualties would be an “immediate ceasefire in Gaza”.
Hezbollah, whose electronic devices were targeted in this week’s explosions, has repeatedly promised to continue striking at Israel until it ends its war in Gaza.
